Now, what can he do for an encore?

In his first year on the job, varsity wrestling coach John Gordon will be named USA Wrestling Magazine's high school coach of the year in the May 30th issue of the magazine.

Gordon is the only Virginia coach in the 39 years of the award to receive it.

Also in his first year as athletic director at St. Christopher's School, Gordon helped lead the team to its 10th straight state and Prep League championships, an unprecedented mark in the commonwealth that would have a hard time being rivaled in other states.

"It's really flattering and humbling," Gordon said Monday. "There are so many talented and hard-working coaches in the state of Virginia let alone at the national level."

At any level, the Saints were not favored to win this season with several departures of top-notch wrestlers and a new coach - though Gordon previously had help build a power at Wyoming Seminary of Pennsylvania (this year's national runner-up).

But a tough opening schedule, terrific senior leadership from the likes of Virginia-bound David Wesley and Trey Tarr, and a steady hand from the coaching staff created a perfect elixir and gains more national attention through this award.

"It's really a total group effort," Gordon said. "If anything what something like this does for the program, I hope, is to reinforce that message."